Sightseeing in Nagatoro

Discover the beauty and thrill of nature

About Nagatoro

Located about two hours away from central Tokyo, Nagatoro is an area full of natural beauty. The Iwadatami Rocks, a designated place of scenic beauty, as well as the historic Hodosan Shrine, are both located in Nagatoro. Nagatoro's charms include blooming flowers in all seasons, hiking, and water sports such as rafting. The area around Nagatoro Station boasts various restaurants and souvenir stores, and it is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll.

Rhine Cruise The Nagatoro River

One of Nagatoro's main attractions is the traditional Japanese boat cruise down Arakawa River. Riding on boats steered by seasoned boatmen, passengers can enjoy the pleasant scenery while gliding smoothly along the calm river or experiencing the thrills of being buffeted by swift rapids. You can enjoy magnificent views of the riverside in all seasons, not least of the Iwadatami Rocks, a designated place of scenic beauty.

Rhine Cruise The Nagatoro River Brochure

Operation Information

Operation period: Early March~Early December

※Kotatsu boats that travel along the Iwadatami Rocks only operate in winter.

Operating hours: 9:00 a.m.~3:30 p.m.

※Boats run at intervals of 10~40 minutes during operating hours.

Access: The ticketing counter is 1 minute by foot from Nagatoro Station.

How to Ride

1. Purchase your ticket from the ticketing counter.

2. You will be directed to the pier.

3. Enjoy your boat ride.

4. You will be dropped off at Nagatoro Station.

Garden House Yurin

Garden House Yurin is a Japanese restaurant that uses ingredients sourced from the Chichibu and Nagatoro areas.

Aside from its main offerings of soba and udon, it also serves the local Chichibu specialty waraji katsudon, as well as the winter-exclusive okkirikomi udon, at reasonable prices.

Operation Information

Business hours: 11:00 a.m.~3:00 p.m.

Closed days: Variable

Address: 704, Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu District, Saitama Prefecture

Access: 10 minutes by foot from Nagatoro Station, Chichibu Railway

Miso Pork Rice Bowl Specialty Restaurant Yurin

A restaurant specializing in miso pork rice bowls. The pork loin is served drizzled with a secret sauce made using miso produced in the Chichibu area.

Operation Information

Business hours: 10:30 a.m.~4:00 p.m. (ends when pork is sold out)

Closed days: Every Wednesday and Thursday

※May open or close on short notice during peak and off-peak-seasons.

Address: 532-5, Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu District, Saitama Prefecture

Access: 2 minutes by foot from Nagatoro Station, Chichibu Railway

Hodosan Ropeway

The Hodosan Ropeway is 832m long, and it takes 5 minutes to reach the summit from the foot of the mountain. The summit station is surrounded by flowers in all seasons, including wintersweet, plum blossoms, rhododendrons, and winter-flowering cherry blossoms. Visitors can enjoy wonderful views of the Chichibu Mountains as well as take in the beautiful flowers.

Hodosan has an elevation of 497m.

Operation Information

Operating hours: 9:40 a.m.~5:00 p.m.

※Operates at 15~30 minute intervals after 10:00 a.m.

※Operating hours may change depending on season.

Closed days: Open all year round

※The ropeway closes every year for inspection.

Location: 1766-1, Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu District, Saitama Prefecture

Access: 20 minutes by foot from Nagatoro Station, Chichibu Railway.

Hodosan Small Animal Zoo

The Hodosan Small Animal Zoo, located at the summit of Mt. Hodo allows you to get up close and personal with a range of animals, including the Japanese monkeys and deer.

Zoo Information

Operating hours: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ※Opening hours may vary by season.

Closed days: Open all year round ※It may be closed during ropeway inspection periods.

Access: 20 minutes by foot from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway. Use the Hodosan Ropeway to ride to the Summit Station. 7 minutes by foot from the Summit Station.

Susabino Terrace

Opened in July 2025, this observation terrace at the summit of Mt. Hodo is just a 5-minute walk from the Hodosan Ropeway Summit Station. Surrounded by nature, it offers sky-view benches, panoramic counter seats, open-air sofas, and a photo spot with the Mt. Hodo monument. From the terrace, visitors can enjoy views of Mt. Bukō, the Chichibu mountain range, and the Nagatoro Valley, all changing beautifully with the seasons. In winter, the golden wintersweet blossoms add a fragrant touch to the stunning scenery.